Look through this lens at an "original" American, Benjamin Franklin.
Recently added: Franklin's home in Philadelphia, Franklin and the Internet and The Quotable Franklin. Check them out.
This lens is a work in progress. If you have suggestions, questions, links, photos, etc, please contact the Lensmaster.
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events...In June of 1776, the Continental Congress created a committee of five men to draft a statement of independence: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Jefferson created the initial draft that the committee edited and submitted for a vote on July 2nd. Franklin was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence that was released to the nation on July 4th, 1776.
While Jefferson is properly credited with drafting the Declaration of Independence, he didn't act alone. That was the thing about Ben Franklin - he was involved in everything. Opinionated, hands-on, gregarious, freethinker, of course he was involved. He prodded, scolded, argued, edited, and then signed.
Franklin was the only person to sign all four of the documents which helped to create the United States: the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty of Alliance, Amity, and Commerce with France (1778), the Treaty of Peace between England, France, and the United States (1782), and the Constitution (1787).
Did Franklin invent the Internet?
Many people have been nominated as Internet inventor, and a few have claimed the honor. Here is one man's nomination . . .Did Franklin invent the Internet?
The quotable Franklin
Sound familiar?
He was a great letter writer - "But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." by Benjamin Franklin in a letter to Jean Baptiste Le Roy, (1789).
As an innovative publisher he needed and became a great reporter and columnist - "Fish and visitors smell in three days." by Benjamin Franklin in Poor Richard's Almanack, (1736).
As a founding father he led by example and with his words - "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
As an innovative publisher he needed and became a great reporter and columnist - "Fish and visitors smell in three days." by Benjamin Franklin in Poor Richard's Almanack, (1736).
As a founding father he led by example and with his words - "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
- The Quotations Page
- "A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over."
How a great man invents, then reinvents himself
In his autobiography, Franklin describes how he invented himself - created a model and then shaped the result through behavior modification.
Walter Isaacson created an entertaining biography of Franklin that shows us how Franklin continued to re-invent himself and evolve into a man of many facets.
Walter Isaacson created an entertaining biography of Franklin that shows us how Franklin continued to re-invent himself and evolve into a man of many facets.
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
Amazon Price: $13.64 (as of 11/23/2009) 
Best Biography of Ben
If you want to read one book on the amazing man
A comprehensive and immensely readable biography of Franklin. Start here!
The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin
Amazon Price: $11.56 (as of 11/23/2009)
Franklin lived here ...
and there ... and everywhere ....
- Franklin's birthplace and childhood home
- January 17, 1706 - Benjamin Franklin, the youngest son of Josiah and Abiah (Folger) Franklin is born on Milk Street. He spent his early years in the Boston area and apprenticed with his brother James, a printer. At eighteen he decided to make his own way.
- Franklin Court in Philadelphia
- Arriving in Philadelphia in 1723, Franklin found a position as apprentice printer. He borrowed money and began his printing business. He first saw the site of his future Philadelphia home while staying with the family of his future common law wife, Deborah Read Rogers.
- Benjamin Franklin House in England
- Franklin worked hard, thrived in business, and gradually spent more of his time on public interst, science, philosophy, and government service. His early retirement allowed him to become a world traveler.
In the heart of London, just steps from famed Trafalgar Square, is Benjamin Franklin House, the world's only remaining Franklin home; his home for nearly sixteen years between 1757 and 1775. - His final resting place ...
- Benjamin Franklin returned to Philadelphia for his final years. He died on April 17, 1790 and was buried in the cemetery of Christ Church, Philadelphia.
Franklin's home in Philadelphia
a simple structure then, a simple structure now
A steel frame to mark the spot where Benjamin Franklin's house once stood in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
... my introduction to Ben Franklin ...
I read this book as a youngster. It reinforced the feeling that a capable person could accomplish almost anything they set in their mind. The reading experience made me a lifelong fan of the man. I have many Franklin books, but the one I treasure is an old copy of the most famous autobiography in America.
- EServer Edition
- The EServer edition of Franklin's autobiography originated with the Gutenberg Project text, from an edition originally edited by Charles W. Eliot, L.L.D., and published by P.F. Collier & Son Company, New York in 1909. There are many copies of the Franklin Autobiography on the web. This version is well-presented, easy to read, and has no distracting ads. Enjoy!
Franklin and the US Post Office
He is responible for the existance of the United States postal system.
On July 26, 1775 the Continental Congress appointed Franklin the first Postmaster General of the American Colonies. He was 68 at the time. He was honored on the first US postage stamp in July of 1847. This five-cent stamp was good for a single letter carried less than 300 miles.Franklin's likeness has appeared on many US regular issue and commemorative stamps. I am still looking for a definitive list. The stamp shown here is the Franklin 1 cent stamp of 1847. It is the first stamp in the classic Scott numbering scheme, and is known as Scott #1!
Pictures of Franklin
Because he was famous in his own time we have many images to show his likeness. However, we only see the older Franklin, and have to imagine the younger Franklin. My favorite picture is on the hundred dollar bill and is a composite likeness.
- University of Pennsylvania - Penn History
- Pictures of Benjamin Franklin taken from various sources.
The mind of Franklin ...
- Inventions, Ideas and Discoveries
- He is famous for his experiments with electricity, but that was one of many innovations.
- The Franklin Institute
- Benjamin Franklin was inovative because he was insatiably curious.
- Philadelphia and the countryside.
- Top 10 Things You Couldn't Do Without Ben Franklin's Curiosity And Intellect.
First political cartoon?
Benjamin Franklin is credited with creating the first political cartoon.
The picture, titled "Join or Die", is the first political cartoon ever. It appeared in Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette. The Albany Plan of Union was controversial and Franklin took the pro position. The cartoon reflects his stance. He was well known as a man of wit and strong convictions. It's natural that he would combine them in his publications. eBay
material on Ben Franklin
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Franklin's autobiography
an american book classic ...
I read this book as a youngster. It reinforced the feeling that a capable person could accomplish almost anything they set in their mind. The reading experience made me a lifelong fan of the man. I have many Franklin books, but the one I treasure is an old copy of the most famous autobiography in America.
Here is an online version -
Ebook autobiography
Here are some choices for your bookshelf:
Here is an online version -
Ebook autobiography
Here are some choices for your bookshelf:
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Amazon Price: $9.60 (as of 11/23/2009)
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Dover Thrift Editions)
Amazon Price: $2.50 (as of 11/23/2009)
The Compleated Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin (Completed Autobiography)
Amazon Price: $19.10 (as of 11/23/2009)
Guest Book
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- tom tom Jun 3, 2008 @ 6:38 am
- Boston By Foot is honoring Ben with a walking tour of his haunts in Colonial Boston. http://www.bostonbyfoot.org/tours/Benjamin_Franklin.
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- AngelaHarms AngelaHarms Jun 15, 2006 @ 9:50 am
- Here's a comment for you. :) Great lens! --Angela
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- boredofeducation boredofeducation Jun 9, 2006 @ 4:44 pm
- I love the comment module.
I'm going around giving people 5 stars who already have one. I hope you don't mind.
Could you post a comment on one of my lenses?
http://www.squidoo.com/harrypotter7/
or
http://www.squidoo.com/hedman_nomad/
I want to see if it works.
Thanks,
Damon
Blog Posts mentioning Benjamin Franklin
Over 200 years later he is a commonly used in reference or example. Quite a legacy...
One Stormy Day
Random thoughts from my stream
Stream of consciousness, a phrase used by William James in 1890 to describe the unbroken flow of thought and awareness of the waking mind ...
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Learn about Squidoo:
About Squidoo (the Organization)
Everyone's an Expert (Free Ebook)
Create a Squidoo lens (Share your expertise)
Look through some of my lenses:
I Love A Mystery
Old Time Radio
Benjamin Franklin
Fredric Brown
E. E. Hibbard
My Related Blog and Web Sites:
One stormy day...
SAI Consulting
Networking
History Webrings
American History - Past, Present & Future [ Join Now | Ring Hub | Random | << Prev | Next >> ] © 2001-2005 WebRing Inc. - Help - Browse WebRing
The History Ring [ Join Now | Ring Hub | Random | << Prev | Next >> ]
Benjamin Franklin's Bad Spellers Club by eelkat [ Join Now | Ring Hub | Random | << Prev | Next >> ] © 2001-2005 WebRing Inc. - Help - Browse WebRing Explore related pages
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